Reynolds Named BYU Offensive Coordinator

PROVO -- BYU head football coach LaVell Edwards today announced assistant coach Lance Reynolds has been named offensive coordinator, replacing Norm Chow who accepted the offensive coordinator's position at North Carolina State on Monday.

"Lance has been an integral part of our coaching staff for the past 17 years," Edwards said. "His hard work and dedication to the program over the years has more than prepared him for this opportunity. I feel extremely confident in his abilities and know he will do a great job."

Reynolds recently completed his 17th season as an assistant coach at BYU, serving most recently as the running backs coach. Reynolds began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at BYU from 1979-80. In 1981 he was the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at Snow College before taking over assistant head coaching duties at Ricks College in 1982. Reynolds returned to BYU in 1983 and has helped guide the Cougars to 15 bowl appearances and coached several players who have gone on the the NFL. Reynolds has also tutored four different 1,000-yard rushers, including Ronney Jenkins, Brian McKenzie, Jamal Willis and all-pro running back Vai Sikahema.

"I'm grateful for the confidence and the respect Coach Edwards has shown in me," Reynolds said. "This is a real honor for me, not just to be the offensive coordinator, but to work alongside one of the greatest and most well-respected coaching staffs in the country. Not only that, but we have a great group of student-athletes here. I think I'm probably most excited about working with them in this capacity."

Reynolds earned Academic All-WAC honors and was an All-Conference tackle for the Cougars from 1972-77. He helped guide the Cougars to a Tangerine Bowl appearance in 1976 as a junior and was invited to the East-West Shrine Game and Senior Bowl following his final season. The Salt Lake City native was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers and also played for the Philadelphia Eagles. Reynolds served an LDS Church mission to Seattle, Wash., before earning his B.S. degree in physical education from BYU in 1980.

"Lance will do a great job in this important new role," said BYU men's athletics director Val Hale. "He enjoys the respect of coaches, players and administrators. Lance has been involved in preparing BYU's offensive scheme for many years. We anticipate the BYU aerial attack will continue flying high, just as it did when the controls were past from Doug Scovil to Ted Tollner to Norm Chow."

Reynolds is married to the former Leslie Nielsen. The Reynolds' have one daughter, Brittany, and four sons, Lance Jr., Dallas, Matt and Houston.

FOR TRANSACTION WIRE: BYU promotes assistant coach Lance Reynolds to offensive coordinator.